The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has facilitated the extradition of two Nigerian men to the United States over alleged child exploitation and sextortion offences.
In a statement issued on Friday, Dele Oyewale, EFCC spokesperson, said Mudashiru Afeez Olawale and Adebola Festus Adekunle were extradited on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, to face prosecution in the US.
According to the commission, the men were identified in separate investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) into sextortion schemes targeting male minors, particularly boys aged between 13 and 17.
The investigations allegedly linked the pair to separate cases involving two American teenagers who died by suicide after being subjected to online sexual exploitation and extortion.
The EFCC said the schemes involved the use of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) to extort victims through methods including money remitters, gift cards and cryptocurrency.
In one case, a 13-year-old boy allegedly received a direct message on Instagram from a person who suggested exchanging nude photographs.
The FBI investigation reportedly found that the suspect later threatened to distribute the boy’s photographs to his Instagram contacts unless he paid money.
The EFCC said communications allegedly continued even after the boy indicated that he intended to take his own life.
The FBI subsequently developed intelligence identifying individuals allegedly connected to the scheme and sought the EFCC’s assistance in investigating and prosecuting them under Nigerian law.
Adekunle was later arrested and brought before the commission.
Olawale, meanwhile, was wanted in connection with a seven-count US charge. The charges include alleged sexual exploitation and attempted sexual exploitation of a minor resulting in death, enticement and attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, interstate threatening communications, and the distribution and attempted distribution of child pornography.
The EFCC said it began extradition proceedings against Olawale at the Federal High Court in Lagos following the FBI’s request.
In Suit No. FHC/L/CS/353/2024, Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa initially refused the extradition application on June 10, 2024.
The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation subsequently appealed the decision.
On July 7, 2026, the Court of Appeal in Lagos, in Appeal No. CA/LAG/CV/721/2024, set aside the Federal High Court judgment, clearing the way for Olawale’s extradition to the US.
The EFCC said the extradition demonstrates its continued cooperation with the FBI in tackling transnational financial crimes, particularly internet-enabled offences involving the exploitation of minors and sextortion.
